The Power of Kindness and Collaboration: Rodwell’s Story
On May 7th, 2021, while asleep at an all-night church gathering outside of Harare, Zimbabwe, 9-year-old Rodwell was viciously attacked and mauled by a hyena.
The result of the attack was life-changing injuries, including the loss of one of his eyes, complete destruction of his nose, nasal cartilage and bone, and the loss of his entire upper lip and the left part of his lower lip.
Rodwell had been stabilised, however, given the limited resources in Zimbabwe, the family were faced with the challenge of raising an enormous amount of money, out of their reach, to pay for an escorted medical evacuation along with the hospital administrative costs, expenses of surgery, and the post-treatment care.
On hearing of Rodwell’s ordeal, The Dandelion Philosophy launched a fundraising campaign in collaboration with Rodwell’s trauma nurse, Maqshuda Kajee. Collective efforts aimed to facilitate comprehensive care and rehabilitation to help this young boy in his plight.
At the same time, The Dandelion Philosophy reached out to Dr. Chris Sidford, from Black Bag Global Emergency Medicine, for assistance, hoping he could connect with his wider network for additional care and expertise.
Within just hours, a virtual team of people and organisations came together to explore ways to provide help to Rodwell. Among those involved were The Grace Children’s Foundation under the leadership of Nancy Robertson, Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals represented by Maggie Kamal, and CAPPS, with Amy Galm playing a key role.
In these discussions, a shared admiration for Rodwell’s ongoing bravery in the aftermath of his ordeal was evident. Advisors from the Grace Children’s Foundation also rallied around its Children’s Resource Exchange (CRE) — an emerging digital service that coordinates paediatric healthcare for children in need worldwide.
Kindness plays an essential role in driving organisations to collaborate globally.
As we moved forward, we learnt that Rodwell’s surgery would be undertaken (pro bono) by doctors in South Africa, but the hospital’s administrative costs would be significant. The gifts of multiple generous donors, along with the funds raised by The Dandelion Philosophy, contributed towards Rodwell’s hospital costs in South Africa, and the first stage of surgery began.
For the duration of his treatment, Rodwell and his mother were graciously hosted by the Sandton Mediclinic Centre. After the surgery, he and his mother returned to Zimbabwe in December 2021.
A second phase of reconstructive surgery has commenced in the United States and is being undertaken by The Dandelion Philosophy’s partners and the capable leadership of The Grace Children’s Foundation, who coordinated Rodwell’s medical and essential non-clinical resources through its Children’s Resource Exchange.
Rodwell's inspiring journey from a devastating hyena attack to a remarkable recovery stands as a testament to the transformative impact of kindness and collaboration.
The Dandelion Philosophy, guided by our unwavering belief in these core principles, joined hands with a network of individuals and organisations, uniting our efforts to ensure Rodwell's healing and restoration.
In a world where challenges can often seem insurmountable, Rodwell's story serves as a beacon of hope, illuminating the potential that blooms when kindness and collaboration intertwine. His journey is a poignant reminder that within the heart of each act of kindness, and at the core of every collaboration, lies the potential to ignite hope, cultivate resilience, and safeguard the vulnerable.
Through unity and empathy, we can nurture a world where stories like Rodwell's are not uncommon, but ordinary — a world where kindness and collaboration flourish, paving the way for brighter, more compassionate tomorrows.
To support our work and help more people like Rodwell, visit www.dandelionphilosophy.com/donate.
